Men&#39;s underpants and method of production thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention represents men&#39;s underpants (and modifications), the pattern of which involves the principles of optimal male genital system functioning. The underpants are characterized by the construction comprising a volumetric gusset of an oblong drop-shaped form with a front part in the form of parabola and a back part in the form of an acute-angled gore, and consisting of three parts of the pattern, namely the left, right and central gores, the left and right gusset gores being symmetrical, and the longitudinal length thereof being less than the one of the central gore by 5-20 cm. There is a control section in the parabolic part of the gusset the length of which depends on the sizes of the penis or scrotum, and the width of each of three parts of the gusset pattern piece differs from that of the other parts by no more than 0.5 cm. There may also be a through slit with elements for its fastening in the gusset and directed along the central gore. The method of fabrication of underpants involves determining the sizes subject to the gusset sizes, which are determined on the basis of its control cross-section and the maximum length of its central part based on the length of the penis or scrotum in the condition of their greatest sagging in the flaccid state and at room temperature. The advantages of the given model of underpants and of the models created based on it consist of the principle that the pattern provides for a physiologically correct and natural position of the scrotum, as well as the method of industrial production taking the individual sizes of male genital organs into account.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of designing and production ofunderwear for men, mainly such as underpants, shorts, swimming trunksand possibly long underwear, including therapeutic garments.

The basic embodiment of the invention represents men's underpants whosestyle and construction take into account the principles of optimalfunctioning of the male sexual system and physiological peculiarities.For a proper selection of underpants their construction requires asystem of additional sizes and the control thereof.

The proposed underpants favorably affect the men's health and sexualabilities taking aesthetic features into account.

STATE OF THE ART AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous technical solutions in the field of designing and production ofunderwear for men such as underpants, shorts, swimming trunks and longunderwear are known which aim to improve physiological properties, forexample: RU Pat. No. 2267282, Dec. 7, 2001, IPC 41V 9/02; U.S. Pat. No.2,163,457, Jun. 21, 1999, IPC A 41 V 9/08; U.S. Pat. No. 2,033,551, Mar.10, 1936, NCS 602-73; U.S. Pat. No. 3,517,666, Jun. 30, 1970, NIC602-68. 128-159, IPC A 61F 5/40, A61H 9/02, U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,779,Feb. 16, 1999; ER 0230102, Jul. 29, 1987; WO 98/39981, Sep. 17, 1998, aswell as websites such as http://kis.net-forum.ru.

These technical solutions assume various options of making underwear formen, such as underpants comprising a front part and a back part and agusset having an expansion in the form of a volumetric body in order toimprove physiological and consumer properties.

The advantages and disadvantages of the proposed and analyzedconstructions take into account current and future trends in thedevelopment of men's underwear, in terms of the necessity for furtherimprovement of its physiological and consumer properties and for theexpansion of functional features, including the therapeutic propertiesof such underwear.

As the closest prior art of the proposed underpants construction one mayconsider a physiological men's underwear construction of such type(men's underpants), comprising a front part and a back part, each madeof two elements, a volumetrically cut gusset being three-flanged andcomprising three parts of the pattern in the form of the left, right andcentral gores joined by curvilinear longitudinal seams forming avolumetric-convex part of the underpants, and an elastic waistband(utility model patent RU No. 74066, 25.10. 2007 IPC F 61F 5/41)).

The advantages of this technical solution are that it combines theadvantages of the briefs, slips and shorts with the option ofphysiologically optimal positioning of the genitals, including thescrotum, which in this case is not pressed toward the perineum, asusually happens in tight-fitting underwear.

However, both this technical solution and the prior art mentioned do notsufficiently deal with the issues and concrete examples of implementingvolumetric gussets, both in terms of the creation of their volumetricform, and in terms of physiological dimensions and particulars of aspecific consumer need for sizes and parameters, as well as the relationof such particulars to the manufacturing technique of specific models.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a construction aimed at further developing thephysiological properties of men's underwear such as underpants,individualizing the methods and means of the underwear selection foreach consumer, manufacturability, improving the aesthetic and ergonomicproperties, expanding the functionalities of such underwear, forexample, in terms of taking into the account the partners' sexualrequirements, expanding the consumer market, and preserving andmaintaining men's health.

This object is attained by the proposed construction of men's underpantsmade of textile materials, such as a knitted fabric, comprising a frontpart and a back part formed by the elements of the pattern (for example,of two elements each), a gusset volumetrically cut (three-flange) andcomprising three parts of the pattern in the form of the left, right andcentral gores joined by curvilinear longitudinal seams forming avolumetric-convex part of the underwear, and an elastic waistband, theabove being known from the prior art, wherein the gusset and its edgesalong the perimeter are made in the form of a cut-out oblong drop-shapedpattern piece, which front part is made in the form of a parabola,formed by segments of the edges of all parts of the gusset patternpiece, and the back part is made in the form of an acute-angled gore,formed by segments of the edges of the central gusset gore, and the leftand the right gusset gores are symmetrical to two acute-angled ends, andtheir longitudinal length is less than that of the central gore by 5-20cm, and in the parabolic part of the gusset a control section is formedin which the width of each of the three parts of the gusset patternpiece differs from that of the other parts by no more than 0.5 cm.

In addition, the front part of the underpants may be formed of twosymmetrical elements joined by a central front seam, directed from anelastic waistband to the vertex of the gusset parabola, and the lengthof the seam is from 1 to 10 cm, not including the width of the elasticwaistband. The back part of the underpants may be formed of twosymmetrical elements joined by a central back seam, directed from theelastic waistband to the vertex of the central acute-angled gore of thegusset, and the length of the seam is from 1 to 10 cm, not including thewidth of the elastic waistband. The length of the gusset may range from34 to 58 cm.

It is also proposed to make a through slit in the gusset, directed alongthe gusset or along the parabolic part of the gusset and provided withelements for its fastening. In addition, it is proposed to make thelength of the control section of the underpants gusset in a range offrom 6 to 18 cm, depending on penis or scrotum sizes.

In addition, at least one of the parts of the underpants gusset patternpiece may be made of several parts joined together by seams. Theproposed underpants may also be provided with a pocket for condoms.

Regarding the technology of underpants implementation, a method of theirmanufacture is known which may be regarded as the closest prior art andwhich comprises a selection of a fabric, determination of the sizesdepending on a man's corpulence, cutting the front and back parts of theunderpants, cutting the elements such as the gusset and the waistelement (www.modnaya.ru/library/001/160.htm).

The proposed method of underpants manufacture comprises selecting afabric, determining the sizes depending on a man's corpulence, cuttingthe front and back parts of the underpants, cutting the gusset and thewaist element, and seam joining of the pattern to produce the givenmodel of the underpants, the above being known from the prior art, andthe proposed method provides for the determination of the sizes subjectto the gusset sizes, which are determined on the basis of the length ofthe penis or scrotum in their flaccid state. The gusset pattern piece ismade of two symmetrical side parts and one central curvilinear oblongpart which are then joined together by seams forming a gusset in theform of a volumetric convex body, which is then joined to the back andthe front parts of the underpants by a seam of oblong drop-shaped formalong the perimeter of the edges of the gusset volumetric body, and thegusset sizes are defined by the length of its control cross-section, inwhich the width of the side parts of the gusset differs from that of thecentral one for no more than 0.5 cm, and by the maximum length of thecentral part of the gusset, which depends on the sizes of the penis orscrotum in their flaccid state.

In addition, the proposed method of manufacture of the underpantsconpatterns that, when producing the gusset volumetric body, the lengthof the control cross-section and the length of its central part arechanged linearly, subject to the sizes of the penis or scrotum in theirflaccid state.

The proposed method of manufacture of the underpants also conpatternsthat the measurement of the penis and scrotum length needed fordetermination of the length of the central part of the gusset can bedone at room temperature by measuring the distance from the base of thepenis at its top to the extreme low point of the penis or scrotum. Allmeasurements should be done taking into account the greatest sagging ofpenis or scrotum when in the flaccid state.

The set of essential features indicated gives the proposed underpantsconstruction and the method of manufacture thereof a number ofadditional positive properties and characteristics directed at improvingthe indicated technical effect, namely: improving the physiologicalproperties of the underpants by the formation of a volumetric space ofthe gusset depending on specific sizes of the penis or scrotum;temperature differentiation between the scrotum temperature and that ofthe body; providing essential ventilation in the region of the gusset;compactness of the form; comfort and aesthetic attractiveness of theunderpants in appearance; providing freedom of motion and the option ofusing the underpants not only in everyday life but also in activesports, under conditions of extreme activity. The availability of thegusset control section provides for simplicity and the option of anindividualization of the methods and means of the given underwearselection for each specific consumer, as well as manufacturingproduction of products; this construction improves the ergonomic andconsumer properties of the proposed underpants, taking into account theabovementioned peculiarities as well as the availability of anadditional pocket and a slit.

The analysis of the information found shows that the set of theindicated features of the construction and the method of manufacture ofthe underpants are novel, and the attainable technical result when theyare combined and achieving the indicated features are not obvious and donot follow from the state of the art, imparting the invention a newtechnical result, meets the requirements for novelty and inventive step.The product has been produced as an industrial design, proving itsindustrial applicability and patentability.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The essence of the proposed technical solutions is illustrated bydrawings of preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the general view of the proposedphysiological underpants, the side view with a cross section along themedian plane (the symmetry);

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the general view of the underpants, frontview;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the general view of the underpants, backview;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view showing the two pattern elements of thefront part of the underpants;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the two pattern elements of theback part of the underpants;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of three parts of the gusset pattern piece(the left, the right and the central gores);

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view showing the volumetric-convex gusset, topview (plan);

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view showing A-A section of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view showing (gusset) B-B section of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view showing the scheme for determining theparameters of the penis and scrotum for implementing the method.

The proposed physiological underpants comprise a front part 1, formedfor example, of symmetrical elements 2, 3 of the pattern, a back part 4,formed of symmetrical elements 5, 6 of the pattern and joined by sideseams 7, the central front seam 8 and the central back seam 9, as wellas gusset 10, joined along the perimeter to the front and back parts bya seam 11 of a drop-shaped form in plan view. In a single-piecemanufacture it is possible to make the front part 1 of the underpantsfrom one, three and more elements of the pattern (not shown), theunderpants may be made without side seams by joining two left halves ofthe front and back parts of the underpants correspondingly into a singleconstruction, as well as joining the two right halves of the front andback parts correspondingly into a single construction (not shown), butthis method complicates the process of gusseting and cannot beconsidered optimal for commercial production. The gusset comprises threeinterconnected curvilinear parts 12, 13, 14 of the patterncorrespondingly, in which part 12 of the pattern forms the central gore,and parts 13 and 14 are made, accordingly, in the form of the left andright symmetrical side gores. Then parts 13 and 14 (side gores) aresymmetrically joined to the central part 12 along their curvilinearedges (sides) by curvilinear longitudinal seams 15 and 16correspondingly. The length of the central gore (part) 12 exceeds thelongitudinal length of the side parts 13 and 14 of the gusset patternpiece (gores) for 5-20 cm. The drop-shaped in plan outline of the seam11 is implemented in the front part 1 of the underpants in the form of aparabola 17 with its vertex directed upward to the elastic waistband 18,and the drop-shaped in plan outline of the seam 11 is implemented in theback part 4 of the underpants in the form of an acute-angled gore 19.There, the gusset 10 contains in its parabolic part 17 a controlcross-section 20 whose length ranges from 6 to 18 cm, and the width ofeach of three parts of the pattern 12, 13, 14 differs from one of theothers by no more than 0.5 cm; that is, their widths practicallycoincide, within the limits of production tolerance. In addition, thearrangement of the gusset 10 may be defined by the specified length ofthe central front seam 8 ranging from 1 to 10 cm, excluding the width ofthe elastic waistband 18, and (or) by the specified length of thecentral back seam 9 ranging from 1 to 10 cm, excluding the width of theelastic waistband, being determined by the accepted options ofindividual selection of underpants sizes; the total longitudinal gussetlength in the proposed embodiments may constitute from 34 to 58 cm.

An elastic waistband 18 can be implemented in the form of an annularelastic band 21, enclosed into a tubular annular element 22, formed byturning down the upper edges of the front and back parts land 4 of theunderpants.

There may also be a through slit 23 in the gusset, directed, forexample, along the central gore 12 or along the parabolic part of thegusset 17, with the elements of its fastening being for instance in theform of a textile clasp 24 (“bur” type), and inside on the front part ofthe underpants 1 there may be a rounded inset pocket (not shown), forexample for condoms. There may be low rectilinear edges on elements 2,3, 5, 6, in case the underpants are made in the form of shorts.

The specific features of the proposed underpants construction consist inthe principle of the pattern and the proposed additional size spectrum,which defines the implementation of the gusset, including the length ofthe central gore, parts 12 of the pattern, ranging from 34 to 58 cm, thelength of the part 12 of the pattern exceeding the side gores, parts 13,14 of the pattern, by 5-20 cm, as well as the gusset size, related withthe length of its control section 20, ranging from 6 to 18 cm dependingon the sizes of the penis and scrotum and providing for aphysiologically correct and natural position of scrotum. The indicatedsizes were determined experimentally, and were also based on medicalstatistics, for instance, by using the data from the article “Penilesize: What is normal?” by Hunter Wessels and Jack W. McAninch inContemporary Urology, January 1997.

So, in addition to the generally accepted size spectrum for clothingelements, the creator has brought in an additional size spectrum, whichdefines the parameters of the inguinal zone of underpants andcorresponding spectrum gusset sizes depending on the length of thegusset control section and the sizes of the penis or scrotum in theflaccid state.

In other words, the gusset construction is created on the basis of theexisting gradations of men's genital zones, for which standardizationthe additional control sizes have been introduced and on which thegusset longitudinal length (the length of the central gore) and the sizeof the gusset control section depend.

THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION IN TERMS OF CONSUMERPROPERTIES IMPLEMENTATION

The proposed physiological underpants are made and used in the followingway.

First, a textile material, for example a knitted fabric for theproduction of underpants, is selected, then the sizes for makingunderpants patterns in their entirety and the gusset 10 separately aredetermined taking into consideration man's corpulence, the sizes ofpenis and/or scrotum in the flaccid state and at normal temperature,according to FIG. 10. For that purpose 13 size gradations are proposed,covering the gusset longitudinal length range within the limits from 34to 58 cm, namely, with sizes 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54,56, 58 cm, and with the total length of the control section 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 cm correspondingly, in lineardependency on the maximum penis or scrotum sizes ranging from 4 to 16cm.

According to the set form of all parts 12, 13, 14 of the gusset patternpiece, the patterns are made according to the chosen size spectrum, thepredetermined gusset form and underpants in whole.

Using the given patterns, depending on the chosen sizes, the followingparts of the pattern are made: symmetrical blanks of elements 2, 3 ofthe pattern of the underpants' front part 1; symmetrical blanks ofelements 5, 6 of the pattern of the underpants' back part 4, thecurvilinear part 12 (the central gore) of the gusset pattern piece 10;symmetrical curvilinear parts 13, 14 (the lateral gores) of the gussetpattern piece 10; and the pocket pattern piece 25, if needed.

Tailoring the underpants is done in the following order:

-   -   1. Production of the gusset from parts 12, 13, 14 of the gusset        pattern piece with formation of longitudinal seams 15, 16 and        possible preliminary implementation of the through slit 23 with        placing of a textile clasp 24 into it.    -   2. Production of the front part 1 of the underpants, for        example, from elements 2, 3 of the pattern with formation of the        central front seam 8.    -   3. Joining the low longitudinal gores 26.    -   4. Stitching the gusset along the perimeter with formation of        seam 11, beginning from the back part 4 of the underpants and        simultaneously joining the elements 5, 6 with formation of the        back central seam 9.    -   5. Sewing up the side edge of the front and back parts 1, 4 of        the underpants with formation of side seams 7.    -   6. Production of elastic waistband 18, in the form of a tubular        annular element 22 formed by turning down the upper edges of the        front and back parts 1 and 4 of the underpants with preliminary        putting an elastic band into it.    -   7. Sewing a pocket to the elastic waistband, if needed.    -   8. Hemming the upper and lower edges of the front and back parts        1, 4 of the underpants.

The technical result consists in designing and creating a model ofunderpants which involves the principles of optimal genital systemfunctioning, taking into account its peculiarities and providing foradditional therapeutic orientation of the claimed solution:

-   -   1) temperature differentiation between scrotum and whole body        temperature;    -   2) when cutting, a necessity to take into account the individual        sizes and proportions of the genitals in order to provide an        optimal temperature condition in that area, and as a        consequence, introducing an additional system of inguinal zone        sizes.

When cutting, this is achieved by the fact that the length of thecentral wedge 12 of gusset 10 accounts for the value of the additionalsize of the gusset zone, selected in accordance with an individual sizeof the inguinal zone (an additional size).

To standardize the said size value for easy duplication of the product,the applicant has introduced an additional size spectrum defining theparameters of an inguinal zone of the underpants, and a rulercorresponding to it developed on the basis of medical statisticsconcerning the existing men's size differentiation of this zone.

That, in its turn, means that the given model and other models createdon its basis will, at the stage of industrial production, bedifferentiated not only according to the generally accepted scale ofsizes usually taken into consideration when creating men's underwear,but an additional size will also be included, which can be measured inthe following way: the length of penis from its base to the lowestpoint—the balanus top portion or the lowest point of the scrotum,depending on which is the lowest.

The method of industrial production according to the claimed solution,which takes into account the gusset gradations, developed on the basisof standardized parameters of inguinal zone, provides for a qualitylevel of the product that is close to custom tailoring.

The selection and wearing of the proposed men's physiological underpantsare realized in a regular way, taking into account the proposed sizespectrum.

The methods of underpants selection and size control.

Method 1: control section.

The control section is used for quality control on a factory to identifya gusset size as well as for underpants selection in a shop, as acontrol survey for testing the compliance of the gusset zone to thedeclared size.

Its essence consists in the fact that every additional size has its ownvalue of control section.

Method 2: size ruler.

The size ruler is intended for underpants selection by additional sizespectrum reflecting a gradation of a man's genital area. It represents aplate in the form of a stripe of flexible material which has minimallinear tension deformation, and this plate has a size scale and ischaracterized by the size scale consisting of several zones. As anexample, there is a variant of the size scale (O-A-B-C-D): up to 6 cm-O,from 6 to 8 cm-A, from 8 to 10 cm-B, from 10 to 12 cm-C, and from 12 andmore-D. Thus the size of this garment will look, for example, like size50-B.

Thus, in accordance with the proposed measuring system, within eachgenerally accepted size of men's underpants there are, for example, 5additional sizes, which define the properties of a gusset and make itpossible to satisfy the needs of a greater number of men, includingchildren and teenagers.

One of the most important advantages of the said model of underpants andother models created on its basis is the pattern-cutting principle,which provides for a natural, physiologically correct position of ascrotum.

Thus, the pattern is designed taking men's physiology into account, andits features provide for additional therapeutic orientation of theclaimed solution: the underwear must conform to physiological parametersand men's requirements, not do harm to health, but have positive effecton men's sexual capabilities and promote their preservation andmaintenance.

The distinctive feature of the said underpants model and of other modelmodifications created on its basis consists in achieving, in productionquantities, the quality standards that are typical of custom tailoring.

1. Men's underpants, made of textile materials like a knitted fabric,comprising a front part and a back part formed by the elements of thepattern (for example, of two elements each), a gusset beingvolumetrically cut (three-flange), and comprising three parts of thepattern in the form of the left, the right and the central gores joinedby curvilinear longitudinal seams forming a volumetric-convex part ofunderwear, and an elastic waistband, characterized in that the gussetand its edges along the perimeter are made in the form of a cut-outoblong drop-shaped pattern piece in plan view, which front part is madein the form of parabola formed by segments of the edges of all parts ofthe gusset pattern piece, and the back part is made in the form of anacute-angled gore formed by segments of the edges of the central gussetgore, and the left and right gusset gores are symmetrical to twoacute-angled ends, and their longitudinal length is less than that ofthe central gore by 5-20 cm, and in the parabolic part of the gusset, aits control section is formed in which the width of each of the threeparts of the gusset pattern piece differs from the one of the otherparts by no more than 0.5 cm.
 2. The pants as defined by claim 1,wherein the front part of the underpants is made of two symmetricalelements being joined by a central front seam, directed from an elasticwaistband to the vertex of the gusset parabola, wherein the length ofthe seam is from 1 to 10 cm, not including the width of the elasticwaistband.
 3. The pants as defined by claim 1, wherein the back part ofthe underpants is made of two symmetrical elements joined by a centralback seam, directed from the elastic waistband to the vertex of thecentral acute-angled gore of the gusset, wherein the length of the seamis from 1 to 10 cm, not including the width of the elastic waistband. 4.The pants as defined by claim 1, wherein the length of the gusset isfrom 34 to 58 cm.
 5. The pants as defined by claim 1, characterized inthat it is made in the gusset a through slit being directed along thegusset and provided with elements of its fastening.
 6. The pants asdefined by claim 1, wherein the length of the control section of theunderpants gusset ranges from 6 to 18 cm, depending on the sizes of thepenis and scrotum.
 7. The pants as defined by claim 1, characterized inthat at least one of the parts of the underpants gusset pattern piece ismade of several parts joined together by seams.
 8. The pants as definedby claim 1, characterized in that proposed underpants are also providedwith a pocket for condoms.
 9. A method of men's underpants manufacture,comprising selecting a fabric, determining the sizes depending on aman's corpulence, cutting the front and back parts of the underpants,cutting the gusset elements and the waist element, and seam joining ofthe pattern elements to produce the given model of the underpants,wherein the method provides for determining the sizes subject to thegusset sizes, which are determined on the basis of the length of thepenis or scrotum in their flaccid state, the gusset pattern piece ismade of two symmetrical side parts and one central curvilinear oblongpart which are then joined together by seams, forming a gusset in theform of a volumetric convex body, which is then joined to the back andthe front parts of the underpants by a seam of an oblong drop-shapedform along the perimeter of the edges of the gusset volumetric body, andthe gusset sizes are defined by the length of its control cross-section,in which the width of the side parts of the gusset differs from that ofthe central one by no more than 0.5 cm, and by the maximum length of thecentral part of the gusset, which depends on the sizes of the penis orscrotum in their flaccid state.
 10. The method of men's underpantsmanufacture as defined by claim 9, characterized in that when producingthe gusset volumetric body, the length of the control cross-section andthe length of its central part are changed linearly, subject to thesizes of the penis or scrotum in their flaccid state.
 11. The method ofmen's underpants manufacture as defined by claim 9, characterized inthat the measurement of the penis or scrotum length needed fordetermining the length of the central part of the gusset is carried outat room temperature by measuring the distance from the base of the penisat its top to the extreme low point of the penis or scrotum.
 12. Themethod of men's underpants manufacture as defined by claim 9,characterized in that the choice to measure the length of the penis orscrotum needed for determining the length of the central part of thegusset should be done taking into account the greatest sagging of penisand scrotum when in the flaccid state.